PBC overcomes VBC scare to win Kanakary race of CBL-4
Alleppey / November 23, 2024
Alappuzha, Nov 23: Pallathuruthy Boat Club (PBC) faced tough challenge from Village Boat Club (VBC) Kainakary but eventually emerged first in a close competition at the second race of fourth Champions Boat League (CBL-4) organized by Kerala Tourism today.
Another local favourite UBC Kainakary too entered the finals based on their show in the heats, and finished third at the race here, which came a week after the inaugurals of the CBL-4 at Thazhathangadi in Kottayam. The six-race championship features nine teams.
The performance of the three finalists along the backwaters of Kainakary was splendid this evening. UBC Kainakari, rowing Talavadi snake-boat, did put up a spectacular show in the first half, when all three boats rowed side by side. Into the first quarter of the second half, PBC, rowing Karichal, took the lead, pushing Thalavadi boat of UBC into the second place.
Then, into the dying moments, VBC’s Veeyapuram made an incredible surge to catch up with PBC. Ultimately, however, PBC on Karichal became the toppers (3:57:51 minutes), chiefly owing to their splendid show in the last five meters — thus reiterating their tenacity that was on display at the Nehru Trophy final earlier this year.
While the runners-up VBC Kainakary clocked 3:58:42, UBC Kainakary came third at 4:01:63.
Finishing fourth was Niranam Boat Club, followed by Kumarakam Town Boat Club rowing Nadubhagam. Kumarakam Boat Club (on Melappadam) finished sixth, while Alappuzha Town Boat Club on Payippadan came seventh. Punnamada Boat Club (Champakulam) finished eighth, while Changanassery Boat Club (Ayaparambu Valiadivanji) came last.
Agriculture Minister Shri P. Prasad inaugurated the competitions. Others present included Alappuzha District Collector Shri Alex Varghese and representatives of local self-governing bodies, officials of the Tourism department and the CBL management committee.
The next race of CBL-4 is at Pandanad-Chengannur (November 30). It will be followed by Karuvatta (December 7) and Kayamkulam (December 14). The grand finale, coinciding with Kollam President's Trophy, is on December 21.
The teams finishing first, second and third in the league matches get Rs 5 lakh, Rs 3 lakh, and Rs 1 lakh, respectively. Based on the overall performance in the six races, the topper will be given Rs 25 lakh, the runner-up Rs 15 lakh and the team finishing third Rs 10 lakh.
After each match, all the participating teams receive Rs 3 lakh, and the snake-boat owners get Rs 1 lakh each as a bonus.
ENDS
